Method and system for updating train control data using broadband wireless access system

ABSTRACT

A system and method for updating train control data are provided. The system for updating train control data can operate to revise, update and maintain the corresponding train control functions installed in an on-board device without workers directly approaching on-board and ground devices using a broadband wireless access system. The on-board device is configured to receive train control data classified by identification information via a wireless network and determine whether the train control data is train control data to be updated using the identification information. The on-board device is configured to update the train control data depending on whether the train control data is the train control data to be updated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0023690, filed on Mar. 8, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The following description relates to a method of updating train control data, and more particularly, to a method of updating train control data using a broadband wireless access system as a communication means configured to control a train.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional train control system is formed as an integrated system having automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO) and automatic train supervision (ATS) functions (see Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0021346 filed by Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp., entitled “Train Control System”).

ATP refers to an automatic train protection system that functions to control the speed of a train by calculating back the braking distance from a ground place in consideration of the location and speed of a train that is in operation. ATP has a train speed regulation function of performing continuous surveillance and supervision on a train speed to immediately regulate the train speed before the train reaches a limited speed zone.

ATO refers to an automatic train operation function which allows the train to run without an engine driver by transmitting the train operation conditions from the ground to the train to automatically perform actions such as the start and stop of the train, opening/closing of the doors, etc.

ATS refers to an automatic train stop function which allows the train to carry out an emergency stop when a situation in which the train continues to run or speeds up even if there is a stop signal is detected. Each of the functions is applied by means of communication between a device (an on-board device) equipped in the running train and a device (a ground device) equipped around a railroad line or in a control room (or an operations room). That is, the ground device and the ground device function to control the running train by transmitting/receiving the data on the functions (ATP/ATO/ATS) for controlling a train to/from each other.

The conventional communication between the on-board device and the ground device is carried out in a complicated manner of transmitting/receiving control information required for cable and wireless communications, and the corresponding communication is specialized for operation of the train. The train control system is composed of ATP, ATO and ATS functions, each of which is installed in the on-board and ground devices.

Therefore, to revise, upgrade or maintain the functions (i.e., ATP, ATO and ATS function) of the train control system, the contents of the functions installed in the on-board and ground devices should be revised. To perform such tasks, maintenance workers should approach the on-board or ground device to directly carry out the operations of revising the contents of the related functions.

SUMMARY

The following description relates to apparatuses and methods by which the corresponding train control functions installed in an on-board device can be revised, updated and maintained without workers directly approaching on-board and ground devices in the field of train communications using a broadband wireless access system.

In one general aspect, a train control data update system includes a ground control unit that is installed on the ground and includes a ground function controller configured to generate train control data and a ground wireless communication unit configured to give identification information identifying train control data and transmit the train control data including the identification information to an on-board device via a wireless network, and an on-board device that is installed in a train and includes an on-board wireless communication unit configured to receive the train control data and check the identification information included in the train control data and an on-board function controller configured to update the train control data under control of the on-board wireless communication unit.

In another general aspect, a method of updating train control data includes receiving, at an on-board device, train control data classified by identification information from a ground control unit via a wireless network, determining, at the on-board device, whether the train control data is train control data to be updated using the identification information, and updating the train control data at the on-board device, depending on whether the train control data is the train control data to be updated.

Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system for updating train control data according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an on-board wireless communication unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of a ground wireless communication unit shown in FIG. 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a wireless data receiving unit shown in FIG. 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of an on-board device interface unit shown in FIG. 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system for updating train control data (hereinafter referred to as a “train control data update system”) according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The train control data update system 100 includes a ground control unit 110 and an on-board device 120. The ground control unit 110 and the on-board device 120 communicate with each other via a wireless network using broadband wireless access communication.

The ground control unit 110 updates and maintains functions on train control data which the on-board device 120 uses by means of the communication. The train control data may include at least one of data on automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO) and automatic train supervision (ATS) functions.

When the ground control unit 110 transmits the train control data to the on-board device 120, the ground control unit 110 may give identification information identifying each piece of train control data and transmit the train control data including the identification information to the on-board device 120. In particular, the ground control unit 110 may give certain identification information identifying train control data to the train control data to be updated and transmit the train control data to the on-board device 120. The on-board device 120 may separately manage only train control data having the certain corresponding identification information and use the train control data as train control data to be updated. The certain identification information given to the train control data to be updated may be set as a value previously allotted by the ground control unit 110 and the on-board device 120.

The ground control unit 110 may include a ground function controller 112 and a ground wireless communication unit 114.

The ground function controller 112 is configured to generate train control data and transmit the train control data to the ground wireless communication unit 114. The train control data may include train control data to be updated, and various other types of train control data.

The ground wireless communication unit 114 operates as a mobile communication base station. When the train control data received from the ground function controller 112 is train control data to be updated, the ground wireless communication unit 114 gives certain identification information to the train control data to be updated, and transmits the train control data having the certain identification information to the on-board wireless communication unit 122. Therefore, the train control data to be updated may have the certain identification information given by the ground wireless communication unit 114.

The on-board device 120 includes an on-board wireless communication unit 122 and an on-board function controller 124. The on-board wireless communication unit 122 corresponds to a mobile communication terminal. The on-board wireless communication unit 122 receives the train control data transmitted from the ground wireless communication unit 114 and checks the identification information given to the train control data.

The on-board function controller 124 may control a train by executing the train control data received via the on-board wireless communication unit 122. The on-board function controller 124 may update the train control data under control of the on-board wireless communication unit 122.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one example of the configuration of the on-board wireless communication unit 122 shown in FIG. 1.

The on-board wireless communication unit 122 includes a wireless data receiving unit 210, an on-board device interface unit 220 and an updated data buffer 230.

The wireless data receiving unit 210 communicates with the ground wireless communication unit 114, so that the wireless data receiving unit 210 receives the train control data transmitted in a broadband wireless access mode, processes the received train control data, and transmits the processed train control data to the on-board device interface unit 220.

The on-board device interface unit 220 functions as an interface required to transmit the train control data received from the wireless data processing unit 210 to the on-board device 120.

The updated data buffer 230 temporarily stores the train control data to be updated for a predetermined period of time when the wireless data receiving unit 202 receives the train control data to be updated.

When the on-board device interface unit 220 receives an update start signal for the train control data that is generated at the ground function controller 112 and transmitted via the ground wireless communication unit 114 and the wireless data receiving unit 210, the on-board device interface unit 220 transmits the train control data to be updated, which has been stored in the updated data buffer 230, to the on-board function controller 124 at a point of time when the update start signal is received. The on-board function controller 124 updates the pre-existing train control data using the transmitted train control data, and controls a train using the updated train control data.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the ground wireless communication unit 114 shown in FIG. 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The ground wireless communication unit 114 receives the train control data from the ground function controller 112 (310). The ground wireless communication unit 114 determines whether the received train control data is train control data to be updated, and when the received train control data is the train control data to be updated (320), gives certain predetermined identification information to the train control data to be updated (330), and transmits the train control data having the identification information to the on-board wireless communication unit 122 (340).

When the received train control data is not train control data to be updated (320), the ground wireless communication unit 114 may transmit the received train control data to the on-board wireless communication unit 122 (340).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the wireless data receiving unit 210 shown in FIG. 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The wireless data receiving unit 210 receives the train control data from the ground wireless communication unit 114 (410). First of all, the wireless data receiving unit 210 determines whether the certain predetermined identification information is given to the received train control data (420).

When the received train control data has the certain identification information (420), the wireless data receiving unit 210 verifies the train control data having the certain identification information as the train control data to be updated and stores the train control data in the updated data buffer (430).

When the received train control data does not have the certain identification information (420), the wireless data receiving unit 210 transmits the received train control data to the on-board device interface unit 220 (440).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the on-board device interface unit 220 shown in FIG. 2 according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the on-board device interface unit 220 updates the train control functions installed in the on-board device 120 using the train control data stored in the updated data buffer 230.

The on-board device interface unit 220 determines whether the update start signal generated by the ground function controller 112 is received (510). When the update start signal is received (520), the on-board device interface unit 220 may transmit the train control data stored in the updated data buffer 230, that is, the train control data to be updated, to the on-board function controller 124, and update the train control data executed at the on-board function controller 124 (520).

When the update start signal is not received (520), the on-board device interface unit 220 transmits the train control data processed at the wireless data receiving unit 210 of FIG. 2 to the on-board function controller 124 (530). The on-board function controller 124 may execute the transmitted train control data.

One aspect of the present invention may be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. Codes and code segments for realizing the program may be easily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. The computer-readable recording medium may include all kinds of data storage devices that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, and an optical disc. Also, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over computer systems that are connected through the network so that the computer-readable codes can be stored and executed in a distribution mode.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the train control data can be updated without workers directly approaching on-board and ground devices using a broadband wireless access mode. Also, since control information may be updated with no direct approach by the workers, the train control data can be updated regardless of the location of a train. In addition, since a point of time when the train control data is updated is determined by the ground device, the point of time when the train control data is updated can be updated as necessary.

A number of examples have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for updating train control data comprising: a ground control unit that is installed on the ground and includes a ground function controller configured to generate train control data and a ground wireless communication unit configured to give identification information identifying train control data and transmit the train control data including the identification information to an on-board device via a wireless network; and an on-board device that is installed in a train and includes an on-board wireless communication unit configured to receive the train control data and check the identification information included in the train control data and an on-board function controller configured to update the train control data under control of the on-board wireless communication unit.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the ground wireless communication unit is configured to give certain predetermined identification information to train control data to be updated out of the train control data.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the train control data to which the certain identification information is given includes at least one of data on automatic train protection (ATP), automatic train operation (ATO) and automatic train supervision (ATS) functions.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the on-board wireless communication unit comprises: a wireless data receiving unit configured to receive the train control data transmitted from the ground wireless communication unit, process the received train control data and determine whether the received train control data is the train control data to be updated; an updated data buffer configured to temporarily store the train control data to be updated out of the received train control data; and an on-board device interface unit configured to transmit the train control data received from the wireless data receiving unit and the train control data stored in the updated data buffer to the on-board function controller.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the wireless data receiving unit is configured to receive the train control data from the ground wireless communication unit, determine whether the certain predetermined identification information is given to the received train control data, verify the received train control data as train control data to be updated when the received train control data includes the certain identification information and store the train control data to be updated in the updated data buffer.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the wireless data receiving unit is configured to transmit the received train control data to the on-board device interface unit when the received train control data does not include the certain identification information.
 7. The system of claim 4, wherein the on-board device interface unit is configured to transmit the train control data stored in the updated data buffer to the on-board function controller when an update start signal is received from the ground control unit via the wireless data receiving unit.
 8. A method of updating train control data comprising: receiving, at an on-board device, train control data classified by identification information from a ground control unit via a wireless network; determining, at the on-board device, whether the train control data is train control data to be updated using the identification information; and updating the train control data at the on-board device, depending on whether the train control data is the train control data to be updated.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the train control data to be updated includes at least one of data on ATP, ATO and ATS functions.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the on-board device is configured to determine whether the received train control data includes the certain predetermined identification information, and verify the received train control data as train control data to be updated when the received train control data includes the certain identification information.
 11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: temporarily storing, at the on-board device, the train control data to be updated in an updated data buffer when the received train control data is verified as the train control data to be updated; and updating the train control data to be updated, which has been temporarily stored in the updated data buffer, at an on-board function controller when the update start signal is received from the ground control unit via the wireless network. 